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ular origin； which impairs the excellence and the wisdom of legislation； contributes prodigiously to increase its power。 There is an amazing strength in the expression of the determination of a whole people； and when it declares itself the imagination of those who are most inclined to contest it is overawed by its authority。 The truth of this fact is very well known by parties； and they consequently strive to make out a majority whenever they can。 If they have not the greater number of voters on their side； they assert that the true majority abstained from voting； and if they are foiled even there； they have recourse to the body of those persons who had no votes to give。
In the United States； except slaves； servants； and paupers in the receipt of relief from the townships； there is no class of persons who do not exercise the elective franchise； and who do not indirectly contribute to make the laws。 Those who design to attack the laws must consequently either modify the opinion of the nation or trample upon its decision。
A second reason； which is still more weighty； may be further adduced； in the United States everyone is personally interested in enforcing the obedience of the whole community to the law； for as the minority may shortly rally the majority to its principles； it is interested in professing that respect for the decrees of the legislator which it may soon have occasion to claim for its own。 However irksome an enactment may be； the citizen of the United States complies with it； not only because it is the work of the majority； but because it originates in his own authority； and he regards it as a contract to which he is himself a party。
In the United States； then； that numerous and turbulent multitude does not exist which always looks upon the law as its natural enemy； and accordingly surveys it with fear and with fear and with distrust。 It is impossible； on the other hand； not to perceive that all classes display the utmost reliance upon the legislation of their country； and that they are attached to it by a kind of parental affection。
I am wrong； however； in saying all classes； for as in America the European scale of authority is inverted； the wealthy are there placed in a position analogous to that of the poor in the Old World； and it is the opulent classes which frequently look upon the law with suspicion。 I have already observed that the advantage of democracy is not； as has been sometimes asserted； that it protects the interests of the whole community； but simply that it protects those of the majority。 In the United States； where the poor rule； the rich have always some reason to dread the abuses of their power。 This natural anxiety of the rich may produce a sullen dissatisfaction； but society is not disturbed by it； for the same reason which induces the rich to withhold their confidence in the legislative authority makes them obey its mandates； their wealth； which prevents them from making the law； prevents them from withstanding it。 Amongst civilized nations revolts are rarely excited； except by such persons as have nothing to lose by them； and if the laws of a democracy are not always worthy of respect； at least they always obtain it； for those who usually infringe the laws have no excuse for not complying with the enactments they have themselves made； and by which they are themselves benefited； whilst the citizens whose interests might be promoted by the infraction of them are induced； by their character and their stations； to submit to the decisions of the legislature； whatever they may be。 Besides which； the people in America obeys the law not only because it emanates from the popular authority； but because that authority may modify it in any points which may prove vexatory； a law is observed because it is a self…imposed evil in the first place； and an evil of transient duration in the second。
Activity Which Pervades All The Branches Of The Body Politic In The United States； Influence Which It Exercises Upon Society
More difficult to conceive the political activity which pervades the United States than the freedom and equality which reign there … The great activity which perpetually agitates the legislative bodies is only an episode to the general activity … Difficult for an American to confine himself to his own business … Political agitation extends to all social intercourse … Commercial activity of the Americans partly attributable to this cause … Indirect advantages which society derives from a democratic government。
On passing from a country in which free institutions are established to one where they do not exist； the traveller is struck by the change； in the former all is bustle and activity； in the latter everything is calm and motionless。 In the one； amelioration and progress are the general topics of inquiry； in the other； it seems as if the community only aspired to repose in the enjoyment of the advantages which it has acquired。 Nevertheless； the country which exerts itself so strenuously to promote its welfare is generally more wealthy and more prosperous than that which appears to be so contented with its lot； and when we compare them together； we can scarcely conceive how so many new wants are daily felt in the former； whilst so few seem to occur in the latter。
If this remark is applicable to those free countries in which monarchical and aristocratic institutions subsist； it is still more striking with regard to democratic republics。 In these States it is not only a portion of the people which is busied with the amelioration of its social condition； but the whole community is engaged in the task； and it is not the exigencies and the convenience of a single class for which a provision is to be made； but the exigencies and the convenience of all ranks of life。
It is not impossible to conceive the surpassing liberty which the Americans enjoy； some idea may likewise be formed of the extreme equality which subsists amongst them； but the political activity which pervades the United States must be seen in order to be understood。 No sooner do you set foot upon the American soil than you are stunned by a kind of tumult； a confused clamor is heard on every side； and a thousand simultaneous voices demand the immediate satisfaction of their social wants。 Everything is in motion around you； here； the people of one quarter of a town are met to decide upon the building of a church； there； the election of a representative is going on； a little further the delegates of a district are posting to the town in order to consult upon some local improvements； or in another place the laborers of a village quit their ploughs to deliberate upon the project of a road or a public school。 Meetings are called for the sole purpose of declaring their disapprobation of the line of conduct pursued by the Government； whilst in other assemblies the citizens salute the authorities of the day as the fathers of their country。 Societies are formed which regard drunkenness as the principal cause of the evils under which the State labors； and which solemnly bind themselves to give a constant example of temperance。 *c
＇Footnote c： At the time of my stay in the United States the temperance